Dark Riders, Tree Branches, & Evil Dudes--Oh, My!

My goal in writing entries such as this remains simple: to encourage readers to get back in the game and do those quests they never even knew existed, to explore and go where no other has so boldly gone before, and to come back here to tell us about their experiences or interpretations. If you like reading these entries help spread the word--it's bird! Er, blog--I MEAN BLOG! Tell your friends about our blog!

In my last entry I covered a lot of information concerning the history and origins of worgen. There is a plethora of lore surrounding the worgen and I fear we only got a glimpse of it last time. Follow along this week as we tackle the Dark Riders, Scythe of Elune, and some sinister wizard-wannabes, the likes of which you've always hated when leveling up. Ugh!

Previously we took a trip to The Howling Vale to investigate the disappearance of Velinde Starsong who wielded the Scythe of Elune, a mystical weapon which could grant communication with, and open a portal for, the worgen. Using the Scythe, Velinde summoned many packs and sought to destroy the demons of Felwood. Of course, things didn't work quite as she had planned and so she went on a journey to find Archmage Arugal, unknowing he was an insane mage fathering the worgen. The Scythe of course, had went missing along with Velinde and several others now seek this rare weapon. Click here to read the last entry.

In Search of the Scythe

The great mage Ur of Dalaran wrote more than just The Book of Ur, nestled away in Shadowfang Keep. He also wrote other books such as Ur's Treatise on Shadow Magic. This book, containing swirling symbols and pictograms of practices in the dark arts was claimed by the mage Morganth. One of three mages who studied intently in the mage tower of Stormwind, Morganth fell into the dark depths of shadowy magic and, consequently, found himself banished by his brethren. At constant odds with Theocritus, a rival mage, Morganth has gone into seclusion to study the dark arts. He resides at the Tower of Il'galar in the Redridge Mountains where he is aided by the Shadowhide gnolls. Through a short series of quests, adventurers are asked to help spy on Morganth. One of the most unique objects in the game, a scrying orb which allows users to take a panoramic view of Redridge, may be found inside the Tower of Azora near the edge of Elwynn Forest. This was one of the first scrying orbs to let players take a visual tour in the classic game. Click here for a map showing the location of the Tower of Azora. Morganth hopes to finally open the spellbound book and grow powerful in the dark arts in hopes of one day obtaining the Scythe of Elune, which he believes will grant him great power.

The Scythe, Found!

The Defias Brotherhood were lurking around Roland's Doom, an old mining shaft near the Yorgen Farmstead in Duskwood, when they happened upon a piece of wood in a pile of rubble. One of the men pulled the haft of a scythe loose from the pile when suddenly their torches flickered and a howling wind swept through the mine as if an evil entity began to whisper to them. They were attacked by creatures from out of nowhere—"hidden holes" in the ground and from the rafters above. One man, supposedly the only to survive, wrote that at least half of those in the mine met their doom in the first few minutes. So even though this person found a cursed scythe, it was lost in his escape. Continue in-game with the quest mentioned below to learn more about this gruesome encounter.

Sven's Revenge

On a darkened embankment in northwestern Duskwood one may find a small camp where the river connects with Elwynn Forest and Westfall. Sven Yorgen has taken up camp here since his family's farmland was overrun by Dark Riders from Deadwind Pass. Not a lot is known about the Dark Riders, sometimes called the Black Riders, who ride from Deadwind Pass. The group began stirring in Duskwood when the Scythe was believed to have been found. As they traveled through, looking for the Scythe, they slaughtered Sven's family. Sven was fortunate enough to be away from home at the time and so he now seeks answers.

The Dark Riders apparently take orders from a higher being, their "Lord," and have been seen communicating with a necromancer who resides at the Forlorn Rowe in Raven Hill. They are said to stalk near the outskirts of Darkshire, sometimes howling loudly and often appearing with a hound familiar to chase down travelers. As with all of Duskwood, one must be very careful when venturing beyond the protection of the local guard. Any able-bodied adventurer's should seek out Sven in-game near the Hushed Bank in western Duskwood. Sven would ask for help to unravel this mystery. Would you be willing to oblige?

Comment by Jeedar

Comment by Ayline

Comment by Malignant

Fantastic write-up. Although lore normally isn't my favourite aspect of the game, your articles are a good read.

Comment by Morvayn

on 2009/03/15 07:13:02

Again, nice read :)

Comment by blademeld

on 2009/03/15 07:57:13

I hate Sven and his damned book.

a good write though kek

Comment by Limbero

on 2009/03/15 09:09:00

Great read, as always Arideni :D

Comment by Gorezhul

on 2009/03/15 09:53:13

Good job hunting and categorizing this information. Will be useful on my alliance alts

Comment by Ruhig

on 2009/03/15 11:45:11

I loved questing in Duskwood, specifically because of the quests about the Scythe. That was just an epic storyline, and there are plenty of others there. If you've never really messed with Duskwood, I strongly suggest you take your next alt through there at the appropriate level and run all the quests you can find.

Comment by lorddax

on 2009/03/15 12:01:45

Yay more Worgen Love! I hope they show up in some 3.1 goodness!

Comment by Blackboy0

on 2009/03/15 12:42:33

Yay more Worgen Love! I hope they show up in some 3.1 goodness!

A whole Instance full of Worgen... that'd be awesome =P

Comment by Huntarb

on 2009/03/15 12:59:09

Yay more Worgen Love! I hope they show up in some 3.1 goodness!

A whole Instance full of Worgen... that'd be awesome =P

add some murlocs and we got ourself a party

Comment by Blackboy0

on 2009/03/15 13:05:11

Yay more Worgen Love! I hope they show up in some 3.1 goodness!

A whole Instance full of Worgen... that'd be awesome =P

add some murlocs and we got ourself a party

Wooot =D

Comment by ShoeTactical

on 2009/03/15 15:28:04

Yay more Worgen Love! I hope they show up in some 3.1 goodness!

A whole Instance full of Worgen... that'd be awesome =P

... Called Shadowfang Keep...

Comment by Arideni

on 2009/03/15 16:28:54

A wonderful dungeon, indeed. Truly an ode to the Horde. As most of you know, high level characters lie exclusively on the Alliance for me. Of course, that isn't going to stop me from the next chapter in our worgen saga. The final part probably won't be quite as long, but will certain take some deciphering on my part. I'll see what I can do over the next couple weeks since I'll have to renew my subscription Tuesday evening.

I'll probably be working on some small carpentry project at work (I'm helping a manager remodel some of the office space all weekend).

Comment by Queggy

on 2009/03/15 16:30:25

Arideni, you're blog post (which was amazing by the way) made me realize that Morganth is a lot like Morgoth. It also ties into the whole Black Riders/Scythe of Elune LotR reference./kudos

Comment by Arideni

on 2009/03/15 17:02:15

I'm not as big on LOTR being I haven't read it nor seen the second or third movie, but that is indeed a most excellent catch which is worthy of a comment on Morganth's page. Would you do the honors?

Comment by Queggy

on 2009/03/15 17:22:50

I'm not as big on LOTR being I haven't read it nor seen the second or third movie, but that is indeed a most excellent catch which is worthy of a comment on Morganth's page. Would you do the honors?

;)Already took care of it. I hope you don't mind if I paraphrased you a bit.

Comment by Aonsaithya

on 2009/03/16 20:56:44

If you like the worgen, you might want to pay a visit to Master's Glaive in Darkshore. There's a book on a pedestal there, and if you get too close to it, it opens up and a worgen's arm reaches out, slashes at you, and stuns you.